A Sony rumors roundup.

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As you know SonyAlphaRumors has been the first website to talk you about the future Sony NEX-C3 and A35 cameras. But the April 4th announcement has been delayed and someone started to believe that those cameras do not exist at all and that I might got wrong info from my sources. Good to know that they were right as we all finally saw the leaked images of the cameras…It took a load off my mind!

Now it’s time for a new rumors recap. I do this because I noticed that many readers do not read the blog daily and it’s easy to miss some important article. Those are our last seven rumors (latest rumor on top):

1) We heard form a new source that Cosina-Voigtländer working on a ultra fast lens for the NEX-system (Click here to read the article). The poll shows how two thirds of our readers would love to get their own hands on that lens even if it is a manual focusing lens only.
2) The first pictures of the new external flash (Click here to read the article).
3)The first pictures of the 16 Megapixel Sony NEX-C3 (Click here to read the article). 72% of our readers do like the new compact and more rugged/professional design of the C3. P.S.: I also found it nicer than the current NEX-3/5!
4) The first pictures of the Sony A35 translucent camera (Click here to read the article).
5) The Sony A77 and NEX-7 will be announced in July but due the recent production problems in Japanese quantities will be limited at first (Click here to read the article).
6) We also posted a NEX-7, A77 and lens rumors and specs summary (Click here to read the article). 55% of our readers are waiting for the A77. Time for Sony to satisfy them ;)
7) NEX-7 for $1,300 and superb build quality (Click here to read the article).

 

If you want to send a rumor: You can use the contact form on the right sidebar without sending me your name or email address. Would be nice if you could use some kind of fake name so that I can recognize you in future. It will be easier and faster for me to post the rumor you send me if I know you are a trusted source who gave me correct rumors in the past. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account to contact me). I usually try to double check the rumor with other sources so please be patient.

If readers want to support me: I don’t accept donations and I usually have 2 or maximum 3 advertising banners only. I don’t want this website to look like many other photographic websites which do take heavy use of flashy advertising. But nevertheless I need some support to cover the costs and to buy some presents for my girlfriend who doesn’t understand why I do spend so many hours with you instead of with her :)  So if you want to help me the only thing you can do is to purchase whatever products you want by clicking on our shop links. Once you click on them from everything you buy (even shoes or books) we will earn a small commission from it. Of course you pay the usual normal price and you will support us without having to donate us any penny ;)

P.S.: Don’t miss any rumors and invite your friends to follow us! Join us at Facebook, Twitter and follow our RSS-feed!

 

 

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DSLR with video has no future. The future are videocameras with larger sensors (says Thom Hogan)

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Let’s start with a short editor’s note: On April 21 we reported about a new Sony CMOS sensor with amazing 120 fps at a full 12 Bit resolution (source DC.watch.Impress). I still noticed that many readers didn’t understand that this is a sensor for videocameras (and not for Alpha cameras). Thom Hogan explains why this is so: “It’s 24.3×12.8mm in size, which makes it slightly wider than APS-C but substantially shorter. The 2160 vertical pixels are exactly double what’s needed for 1080P (the horizontal component is almost exactly 4x). It looks like a straight-out video sensor to me. That’s confirmed by the other details: 60 fps 14-bit output, 120 fps max speed, and the first target: NHK’s Super Hi-Vision format.”

But the real interesting part of Thom Hogans article is the following one:
“To what end? Well, DSLR-enabled video is pretty compromised and about to be eclipsed by prosumer and pro video equipment, much as I predicted some time ago. Both Sony and Panasonic now have large sensor video products, with more coming. Those products blow away the capabilities within DSLRs for one simple reason: the sensor is optimized for video use. In order to get 1920×1080 (1080P) or 1280×720 (720P) out of our DSLR sensors, the cameras do two things: they line skip and they sub-sample within a line. The results are rolling shutters, artifacts, and less than optimal color information. Those dedicated large-sensor video cameras fix all those things. The output from the new Sony NEX-FS100E is noticeably better than any video-enabled DSLR I’ve seen to date. If I’m serious about video production, why would I compromise by using a DSLR? Plus the FS100E is configured to be a video camera from the get-go.”

What do you think?

Reminder: The Sony NEX-FS100U will be in Stock in July (Source: B&H).

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A 50mm f/2.0 Tilt Shift lens from Ukraine

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[shoplink 6628 ebay][/shoplink]

Sony NEX owners that are looking for a tilt lenses usually do consider to buy the [shoplink 4701]Lensbaby composer[/shoplink] which costs $344. But one of our readers (thanks Matt!) found an interesting and much cheaper lens on [shoplink 6628 ebay]eBay[/shoplink]. The lens pictures on top is the multicoated Tilt Zenitar 50mm brand new lens, manufactured in 2011 in Russia and modified with tilt mechanism in Ukraine. It has the same design as the famous Hartblei lenses. It can tilt at plus/minus from 0 up to 8 degrees.

If you want to read more about the lens and the price an american reseller has them in Stock on [shoplink 6628 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

UPDATE: Another reader sent me a link to the Kipon Tilt adapter for NEX on [shoplink 6630 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

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New Sony A55 review

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[shoplink 3617][/shoplink]

Photographybay (Click here) tested the Sony A55: “The A55 gives the novice user plenty of room to grow in both the photo and video realms. The biggest limitations I found were the image buffer when shooting RAW files at high frame rate bursts and the unnatural feel of the fast AF in video recording. For an entry-level DSLR though, the Sony A55 will go toe-to-toe with just about any other comparably-priced camera out there.”

A reminder: The A55 like other Sony cameras is currently discounted in US:
And here is the summary of all US deals:
-$50 on the A580 at Amazon, Adorama, B&H and J&R.
-$50 on the A55 at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
-$50 on the A33 at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
-$50 on the NEX-5 at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
-$50 on the NEX-3 at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.

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(SR3) Cosina-Voigtländer working on a ultra fast lens for the NEX-system

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Go to min. 2:30 to see the Cosina fab and how they make their (handmade) lenses.

While we are still waiting to get our hands on the upcoming new Sony NEX lenses (like the soon coming Zeiss 24mm f/1.7) there is also “hope” coming from third party lens makers. According to our very first and new “Cosina source” there will be a new all manual and ultra fast Voigtländer lens coming by end of the year 2011. Their current only lens for mirrorless cameras is the [shoplink 6619 ebay]Nokton 25mm for m43 (Click here to see it on eBay)[/shoplink]. The source is new so please take the rumor with a grain of salt. But It might not be casual that at the end of the video on to the Cosina Designer talks about the NEX system… :)

And now the big question for you:

The best camera of the year is the...

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P.S.: What you might don’t know is that Cosina also produces many of the current manual Zeiss lenses.
P.P.S: A while ago there was a [shoplink 5973 ebay]Nokton 25mm with NEX adapter on eBay[/shoplink].

—
If you have some rumor to share contact me at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com or use the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar. And invite your friends to follow us! Join us at Facebook, Twitter and follow our RSS-feed!

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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Full aperture and focus control of EOS lenses on your NEX with Birger adapters.

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I am now posting all those news I could not post because of the NEX-C3, Sony A35 and Flash leaks. One of the coolest new products shown at the NABshow in Las Vegas is the EOS to NEX Birger adapter. It is the first adapter that provides full control of focus and aperture on all tested EOS lenses! But that adapter will be really expensive (should cost around $800). More (few) info on Birger.com.

If you need a cheap solution you can look at the new Kipon ESO to NEX adapter with manual aperture control on [shoplink 5561 ebay]eBay (but there are no items in stock now)[/shoplink]. Looks a bit weird but it seems to work (you get what you pay for).

P.S.: See the list of all current EOS to NEX manual adpaters on [shoplink 5932 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Sony TidBits

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Sony NEX-FS100 Demo Footage (Click those links to check if the camera is on preorder: [shopcountry 6170]).

70-200mm F/2.8 telephoto zoom comparison (Kurtmunger).
A crazy test: Hasselblad 45mm f/4 lens on the NEX-5 (DC.watch).
Sony Ranks as the Highest Rated Consumer Electronic Company in the United States (SonyRumors.net)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 review (Cnet US).
More image samples of the new chinese 28mm f/2.8 lens for NEX (Xitek forum).

As you know a few days ago we posted the first images of the NEX-C3. In our poll we asked you if you like the new camera and your answer was largely positive! ThePhoBlographer explains: “Why The Sony NEX-C3 May Be Really Awesome”. I do agree and you?

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